I owned 2 of these. My daily driver from 1969 thru 1987. Loved those cars. The first one was a hot rod with a souped up 312 with 3 deuces and a 4 speed. I eventually replaced that drive train with a 302 and FMX automatic....and it was GREAT. The 2nd car was a ground up restored Torch Red show car, all stock. 292 with 3 spd stick. Just gorgeous.
@@Jupitearth A lot less people. Kind of like taking a bus that is 30% full of relaxed people and the windows are all open...and then comparing it to a bus that is completely packed with tense people filling all seats like sardines, all isles full of people standing cheek to jowl...and all windows closed on a hot day. That's how life is different today.
RE: porthole top. The porthole top was NOT available in 1955. And for both 1956 and 1957 it was an option. However most hardtops for 1956 and 1957 had portholes. The 1956 non-porthole hardtop did not have a Ford crest as the hardtop did in 1955. For 1957 the non-porthole top had a Thunderbird medallion like the one used on the "C" pillar of the 1958 T-Bird.
Beautiful car, great and comprehensive review. I'm well impressed. The interior looks authentic too!!! Which I think a lot of people won't appreciate nowadays.
I had 3 1956 T-Birds and 3 1957 T-Birds in my life, one 1956 and one 1957 had the manual 3 speed w/electric overdrive). I restored all of them myself. The first two (both 1957s) were far rougher than yours. I remember driving my first one home after buying it. I will NEVER forget the thrill and feeling of driving that car for the first time. I was 20 years old and the car was 19 years old then. I think I can imagine how you feel driving this car. My last three I owned I took often on round trips from Tucson to visit my family in Wisconsin. They were FUN cars to drive across country too. Not comfortable, but fun. I never owned a 1955. But the 1957s were better cars than the 1956s in many ways.
@@WendellLive You can get most parts to restore these cars. There are several vendors to choose from. Some repro parts are better than others. And Ford still sells many parts including dash pads, door panels and sun visors. I think they still sell some sheet metal parts too. Once properly restored, all mine were very reliable. I took many 4000-5000 mile round trips with mine bac in the 1970s and 1980s. The Casco emblems and trim are exact reproductions as the use the original molds and tooling.
I’m thinking about buying an early bird but am undecided about the model year. Could you expound on why you think the 57s are superior to the 55s and 56s?
I used my 1st 1955 for everything. Towed big inboard wooden ski boats to the mountains with it. Had to go to metallic brake shoes to get back down. That car had a 312 with 3 Stromberg 97 carbs, Mallory ignition, and a T-10 4 speed. Went pretty good but leaked oil like a sieve from the rear main seal. Replaced it with a modern 302 with FMX automatic which was a huge improvement. Manual everything. Drove that car daily all over California 1969-1976. Then I sold it and bought an all-stock 1955 Torch Red 3 speed manual car.. Restored that car to stock show condition. It was a nice car. There were ZERO safety features in these cars. Frankly, they were dangerous. It was all about the looks...not the comfort or the ride. They were fairly reliable, however...and super easy to work on.
You can get your interior back in shape. There are EXCELLENT replica interior kits available. I think you can even still buy original door panels from Ford. The reproduction door panels are not bad, but the Ford panels have the correct embossed stitching. The repros have real stitching.
I owned 2 of these. My daily driver from 1969 thru 1987. Loved those cars. The first one was a hot rod with a souped up 312 with 3 deuces and a 4 speed. I eventually replaced that drive train with a 302 and FMX automatic....and it was GREAT. The 2nd car was a ground up restored Torch Red show car, all stock. 292 with 3 spd stick. Just gorgeous.
What was life like back then
@@Jupitearth A lot less people. Kind of like taking a bus that is 30% full of relaxed people and the windows are all open...and then comparing it to a bus that is completely packed with tense people filling all seats like sardines, all isles full of people standing cheek to jowl...and all windows closed on a hot day. That's how life is different today.
@@tbamagic wow it’s crazy how life can change in this many years
RE: porthole top. The porthole top was NOT available in 1955. And for both 1956 and 1957 it was an option. However most hardtops for 1956 and 1957 had portholes. The 1956 non-porthole hardtop did not have a Ford crest as the hardtop did in 1955. For 1957 the non-porthole top had a Thunderbird medallion like the one used on the "C" pillar of the 1958 T-Bird.
I have a 1956 Thunderbird and thoroughly enjoyed watching you review it…
Very glamorous car.
One of the most beautiful cars ever made. Simply beautiful.
One of the most beautiful cats ever created. Kudos to the 57 bird as well
Beautiful car, great and comprehensive review. I'm well impressed.
The interior looks authentic too!!! Which I think a lot of people won't appreciate nowadays.
I had 3 1956 T-Birds and 3 1957 T-Birds in my life, one 1956 and one 1957 had the manual 3 speed w/electric overdrive). I restored all of them myself. The first two (both 1957s) were far rougher than yours. I remember driving my first one home after buying it. I will NEVER forget the thrill and feeling of driving that car for the first time. I was 20 years old and the car was 19 years old then. I think I can imagine how you feel driving this car. My last three I owned I took often on round trips from Tucson to visit my family in Wisconsin. They were FUN cars to drive across country too. Not comfortable, but fun. I never owned a 1955. But the 1957s were better cars than the 1956s in many ways.
Are parts readily available today? How reliable are the cars?
@@WendellLive You can get most parts to restore these cars. There are several vendors to choose from. Some repro parts are better than others. And Ford still sells many parts including dash pads, door panels and sun visors. I think they still sell some sheet metal parts too. Once properly restored, all mine were very reliable. I took many 4000-5000 mile round trips with mine bac in the 1970s and 1980s. The Casco emblems and trim are exact reproductions as the use the original molds and tooling.
@@MostlyBuicks thank you!
I’m thinking about buying an early bird but am undecided about the model year. Could you expound on why you think the 57s are superior to the 55s and 56s?
I used my 1st 1955 for everything. Towed big inboard wooden ski boats to the mountains with it. Had to go to metallic brake shoes to get back down. That car had a 312 with 3 Stromberg 97 carbs, Mallory ignition, and a T-10 4 speed. Went pretty good but leaked oil like a sieve from the rear main seal. Replaced it with a modern 302 with FMX automatic which was a huge improvement. Manual everything. Drove that car daily all over California 1969-1976. Then I sold it and bought an all-stock 1955 Torch Red 3 speed manual car.. Restored that car to stock show condition. It was a nice car. There were ZERO safety features in these cars. Frankly, they were dangerous. It was all about the looks...not the comfort or the ride. They were fairly reliable, however...and super easy to work on.
Gotta love those Antique Ford cars from the late 1950s bro I enjoyed it
Antique but beautiful
You can get your interior back in shape. There are EXCELLENT replica interior kits available. I think you can even still buy original door panels from Ford. The reproduction door panels are not bad, but the Ford panels have the correct embossed stitching. The repros have real stitching.
Sweet intro!
Just got my Hemmings Motor News yesterday in the mail. Going through the Ford section as the notification for your video popped up.
I guess watching it was fate!
Your video nailed it. I have one too and man the brakes scare the living hell at of me. Lol.
Excellent review thanks for sharing
Nice I have a 2002 it's been the most dependable car I.have ever own. It has the
Nicest ride of any car in the world.
Cool!
Your skirts are missing the fore positioned stone guards which all 1956 and 1957 T-Birds had, as did all but the very first 1955s had as well.
Power steering was not standard on the 55-57 Thunderbird. It was optional as were power brakes, power windows and on the 56 and 57, power seats.
hold on there hotdog...we dont talk about the engines in liter's...we use cubic inches..and its either a 292 or 312
Great car. Where's Suzanne?
Machined turned aluminum. Also, old American car engines are designated in cubic inches.
1956, was the only year that came with a continental kit from the factory.
That’s cleaannn
Nice. Engine options were 312 or 390???
Is your brother buying a hypercar?
How much is this car
make an offer through my Instagram @DrivenCompanion
It's missing a hubcap.......wtf !!
I would love one with a coyote transplant.
1. Thing i hate about videos like this is. They take to long to start talking about the car.
#1. Talk first.
#2 drive & show off after talking
Marilyn Monroe's car
Intérior is not Nice !
Whoever did the upholstery work on that car did a horrible job and not at all true to the original.
What a noise !!!